Bobby, my boyfriend of almost 8 years, made it official last weekend at our favorite restaurant in town. It was just supposed to be a casual night out, prompted by the promise of some excellent seafood the the owner had just gotten in. I didn't think anything of it. Just an average Friday night out at our restaurant-home away from home.
We ordered our entrees and some wine, and then we began to chit chat with the usual cute jokes about our lives. "So do you really want to spend the rest of your life with me?" he begins. (Yes, this has been part of our banter for the past few years.) "Of course, I do!" I reply, thinking I'm just answering the usual hypothetical question. But then he gets this look on his face that tells me he's hiding something, his "upside-down smile face" as I've called it over the years, and he digs into his pocket. I cover my face and exclaim, "What's happening?!" Is this happening??" He comes around to my side of the table and gets on one knee. Now I'm really in a state of shock, lots of adrenaline rushing through my veins - I'm still covering my eyes, now crying, "This isn't happening; what's happening!?" Between my tears, he asks me if I'll marry him and he opens the little black box. "Of course!" I tearfully exclaim, before even opening my eyes. And then I see the ring... "It's so beautiful!" I say over and over again. It really is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen - I couldn't have picked anything better on my own. (It's his mother's diamond, and though I'd given him some direction over the years about what I like, the setting is his own, and the jeweler's, design.) We kiss a few times, we hear the staff (who apparently knew of the whole plan all week) awe and applaud quietly in the back, and then he makes his way back to his seat. "Did that really just happen?" I laughingly sob. I tell him I honestly couldn't imagine spending my life with anyone else. We grasp hands at the table, not able to take our eyes off the sparkle coming from my hand. (Yes, both of us.) Really, did that just happen??
The owner brings out a bottle of champagne to our table and prosecco is poured for everyone else to join in the celebration. We call immediate family and text close friends. Lots more tears and so much joy. Nearly everyone in the restaurant stops by to offer their congratulations. Wine follows champagne; laughter conjoins with tears. Seriously, did that just happen?
I don't remember the food. =)
